Understanding the basic characteristics of our society and its schools is key to understanding how to best address the specific needs of students both now and in the future. In a policy arena such as education, which can often be distracted by politics and ideological debates, demographic and statistical data provide an impartial, far less disputable base upon which policymakers can make informed decisions. This Issue Site outlines some of the key trends that current demographics (race, age and economic status) indicate will have a significant impact on education.